Bolling Military Family Housing Qualified Recycling …infohouse.p2ric.org/ref/24/23075.pdf · Bolling AFB MFH QRP Study 1997 BOLLING MILITARY FAMILY HOUSING QUALIFIED RECYCLING PROGRAM

Bolling AFB MFH QRP Study 1997

BOLLING MILITARY FAMILYHOUSING

QUALIFIED RECYCLING PROGRAM

REPORT July 1997

conducted by Headquarters

Air Force Center for Environmental Excellence Environmental Quality Directorate


BOLLING AFB Washington DC MILITARY FAMILY HOUSING QUALIFIED RECYCLING PROGRAM

REPORT June 1997

At the request of 11 CES/CEV, Bolling AFB Washington DC, Nancy Carper, HQ AFCEE/EQT, conducted a review of the installation’s Military Family Housing (MFH) Qualified Recycling Program (QRP), 9-12 June 1997. The objective of this study is to identify strengths and weakness, common trends and installation peculiarities in order to provide recommendations and examples of practices and procedures to ensure the Air Force is obtaining a highly effective recycling program. All aspects of MFH and unaccompanied dormitory recycling/composting were examined, including operations, equipment public awareness program and applicable documentation. The following individuals at Bolling were interviewed 9-12 June 1997: Colonel Walters - Vice Wing Commander Lt Colonel Umstead - Chief, Military Family Housing Major Briesmaster - Chief, Civil Engineering Operations Mr. Charles Weir - Chief, Environmental Flight Ms. Ayo McClenney - Chief, Pollution Prevention Ms. Helen Walker - Quality Assurance Evaluator MSgt Gallager - Dormitory Manager Ms. Nanatte Howard - Military Family Housing Management Assistant Sgt Peterson - Household Hazardous Material Exchange Facility Jim - Navy Recycling Center Manager (Bolling AFB) Jimmy - U-Fix-It Store Attendant Thomas - Auto Skills Center Mechanic Bill - Auto Pride Manager Recycling Center Attendant Upon the conclusion of the site visit, an informal outbrief was given 12 June 1997 to Lt Col Umstead (CEH); Major Briesmaster (CEO); Mr. Weir (CEV); Ms. McClenney (CEV); and Ms. Walker (CEOEC). Note: 11 CES/CEV provided TDY funding for this study.



STATUS June 1997

Military Family Housing curbside collection of solid waste, recyclables, bulk items and yard trimmings is completed by Priority One Services, Inc. At the time of this study, there were a total of 1,183 military family units available for occupancy. On average, a 49 percent recycling participation rate is achieved weekly from military family households. Based on a three month sampling (February-April 1997), military family housing occupants were generating 42 percent of the total solid waste collected on Bolling AFB. MILITARY FAMILY HOUSING Curbside pick-up • Solid Waste - Monday • Co-mingled Recyclables - Wednesday • Yard trimmings/leaves - Monday • Bulk items - Monday

• Bulk items include wood, metal, appliances, furniture, etc. • Problems with contractor mixing yard trimmings and bulk items

Curbside Recycling Quality Control • Weekly participation in the recycling program is

tracked by Priority One Services Inc. and CEOEC by identifying the number of military family units that set-out recyclables

• These metrics are maintained by streets and are used to identify recycling award winners

Collection Containers • Solid waste - 95-gallon green totes • Recyclables co-mingled

• 32-gallon blue totes • 13-gallon tan rectangular bins

Collection Container Accountability • Military Family Housing occupants sign for

recycling containers and trash tote on AF Form 227, Quarters Condition Inspection Report

Replacement Procedures • U-Fix-It Store personnel replacing/issuing

recycling tote • Extremely limited parts (lids, wheels,

etc) presently available for repair work • Helen Walker, CEOEC, issues recycling tote

replacements when notified • No procedures in-place between U-Fix-It Store,

CEOEC or Military Family Housing Office to coordinate replacement tote numbers onto AF Form 227

Curbside Recycling Set-out - Andrews Way


Container Procurement • Recent purchase of blue recycle totes covered by O&M and Pollution Prevention funding and

Contractor Recyclable Commodities Collected Curbside • White Paper • Newspaper • Mixed Paper • Magazines • Phone Books • Cardboard

• Pizza boxes are easily confused by occupants as acceptable cardboard • Aluminum • Steel cans • Glass • Plastic

• Occupants are easily confused about different plastic types • Christmas Trees

• Marine habitats are created with these trees by a local organization Non-recyclables mixed with recyclables • Priority One Services Inc., personnel must remove items and replace back into the curbside

container • Priority One Service Inc., must leave published information on proper disposal of non-recyclable

goods Textiles accepted only at Recycling Center

• Plans underway to place collection container outside Thrift Shop for textile drop-off Recyclable drop-off points available

• Recycling Center (south end McChord &Castle Avenue)

• During operating hours, all commodities accepted

• After-hours only steel cans, aluminum cans, glass and plastic

• Four Recycling Igloos (each with two 96-gallon totes inside) in Marina Parking Lot (Corner of Arnold Avenue and Giovannoli Way)

• 24-hour drop-off for plastic bottles, glass, newspaper and steel and aluminum cans

• Recycling Trailers (AlleyCat) are available for special events and sporting activities • Multiple recycling bins (200 gallons each) contained on a trailer • Installation personnel can reserve trailers through CEOEC and the CES places a

trailer at the desired location

Interior view of Recycling Center Drop-off Section


• Drop-off containers (30 cubic yards) are placed temporarily in the BX/Commissary area for Christmas Tree collection

UNACCOMPANIED DORMITORIES (3)

BLANCHARD (Building #1302) • Portions under renovation • 376 AF and Navy personnel

will reside at Blanchard when renovations are completed (FY98)

• Renovation will create a small kitchen between two rooms that will include a sink, 12.1 cu ft refrigerator, stove and microwave

• Collection Containers • Recycle containers

purchased by O&M funding and Contractor

• Some Communal Collection Containers found in Common Areas, but not for all commodities

• First floor TV room, sixth floor elevator lobby and the AF section hallways

• No containers in Main Lobby (first floor), PSC Center Lobby (first floor), Navy section hallways, kitchenette areas or outside patio area

• Custodians empty common area containers directly to Recycling Center

• Effective 1 October 1997, solid waste contractor will go into building for recyclables

CHESHIRE HALL (Building #3623) • 40 Permanent Party Rooms (single rooms)

AlleyCat Recycling Trailers

Blanchard Unaccompanied Dormitory

Blanchard Communal Recycling

Containers


• No communal collection containers located on any of the three floors • Dining Hall dumpsters closely located to Cheshire Hall

• Examination of dumpsters revealed a high volume of domestic solid waste which contains many recyclables

HONOR GUARD (Building #55) • Collection Containers

• Some Communal Collection Containers found in Common Areas, but not for all commodities

• First floor rear entrance, third floor Dormitory Manager’s Office, and Classroom #316

• No containers on the second floor or second floor Supply Office

COMPOSTING Yard trimmings/leaves picked-up at curbside on Mondays by Priority One Services, Inc. • Occupants are required to bag trimmings/leaves • Yard trimmings are disposed, not sold to a local composter Backyard Composting • Six backyard composters in use throughout military family housing • Donated by various manufacturers • Backyard Composting Training completed in military family housing (Kelly Circle) during

Summer 1996 Vermicomposting • Six worm bins have been distributed by CEOEC (since March 1997) to Home Study families and

Andrews AFB Day Care Composting Facility • No on-base composting operations mostly due to limited space available

• Only area available is a small plot of land between Navy Recycling Center and new Civil Engineering Building

• U-Fix-It Store has limited amount of mulching mowers which are permanently signed-out to the

General Officers Quarters

HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS MATERIAL REUSE PROGRAM Located within the Hazardous Material Pharmacy (Brookley Avenue) • Hours of operation, 0730-1630, Monday-Friday


Three flammable locker system for collection and storage • Flammables (yellow) • Acids and Corrosives (White) • Acid (Blue) • Used oil and antifreeze handled at Auto

Skills Center • Aerosol cans are collected, but

punctured at CES • Contaminated gasoline accepted and

transferred to Auto Skills Center • Auto Skills Center and Auto

Pride Store both reported they do not accept contaminated gasoline

Promotion • Tri-fold Brochure

• “The 11th Supply Squadron Hazmat Pharmacy HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS MATERIAL REUSE PROGRAM” clearly explains and promotes the program

• Two articles in one year were printed in The Bolling Beam about the Household Hazardous Material Reuse Program

• Lacking exterior signage to direct customers PUBLIC AWARENESS EFFORTS Promotion of Bolling Qualified Recycling Program is the responsibility of two parties • QAE Coordinator (Helen Walker, CEOEC)

• IAW Paragraph 3.3.1 of the Performance Work Statement (PWS) for Non-Hazardous Refuse Collection, Disposal and Recycling Services

• Priority One Services Inc. (Solid Waste Contractor) • IAW Paragraph 4.3.2 of the PWS for Non-Hazardous Refuse Collection, Disposal and

Recycling Services • CEOEC gets contractor to cover costs of awards, plaques and aluminum can sculptures Installation Recycling Education Plan • Prepared and submitted by the Priority One Services, Inc.

• Para 4.3.5 of PWS for Non-Hazardous Refuse Collection, Disposal and Recycling Services describe the information to be included in the plan

Recycling information provided to Military Family Housing occupants during Newcomers’ Briefings, Townhall Meetings and Community Action Council Meetings • Military Family Housing area “Mayors” are also given information on recycling and composting

for their crossfeed to occupants in their monthly newsletter and area meetings Bolling’s Earth Day Educational Outreach Micro-Mini Fun Day provides recycling awareness and environmental conservation education to all age groups throughout the installation

Household Hazardous Material Reuse Lockers at Pharmacy


Monthly/Quarterly/Yearly Military Family Housing Recycling Awards • Participation awarded by area or street

• Participation is tracked by Contractor and CEOEC weekly by recording number of military family units recyclable set-outs

• Monthly/Quarterly winners are engraved on Military Family Housing Recycling Awards for Excellence plaque which hangs in the Military Family Housing Office

• Quarterly winners have lawn sign posted at street entrance “RECYCLING DISTRICT OF THE QUARTER”

• Yearly winner, those determined to achieve the highest recyclable set-out rate for an entire year, are awarded at item of their choice (picnic table, park bench, etc., made from recycled material), within costs, that benefit all occupants

• Volunteers complete installation Recycling Story Board prepared by CEOCE is displayed throughout the installation to remind all Bolling personnel about on-going recycling efforts

Bolling Television (BTV) runs announcement about the installation recycling program Recycling articles, i.e., MFH Quarterly Winners, are prepared by CEOEC and provided to The Bolling Beam • Cooperation from The

Bolling Beam has not been readily forthcoming in assisting with the promotion of the installation’s recycling program

• Two articles in one year were printed from the Household Hazardous Material Reuse Program

MISCELLANEOUS No Installation QRP Manager

Recycling District of the Quarter Lawn Sign

Recycling Story Board

Recycling Story Board


• Partial QRP Manager responsibilities are performed by CEOEC Recycling Center (hours 0700-1600, Monday-Friday; and 0700-1200, Saturday) • Contamination problems

• Commodities are mixed in segregated roll-offs, which could possibly reduce the commodity value upon resale

• Plastic mixed with glass • Steel cans mixed with aluminum cans

• Attendant was unaware of some Recycling Center procedures • Textiles were in solid waste dumpster rather than recycling container • Pulverized/shredded paper was “dumped” in white paper trailer rather than

mixed paper container • Uncertain why blue recycling totes were stored at the Recycling Center

Marketing and sales of recyclables are the sole responsibility of Priority One Services, Inc. Navy Recycling Center Manager expressed interest in partnering with Bolling on recyclable commodities that have higher dollar value (white paper, cardboard and aluminum) No Solid Waste Management Plan • Contract efforts expected to begin third quarter, FY97



AFCEE/EQ RECOMMENDATIONS June 1997

MILITARY FAMILY HOUSING Continue co-mingle collection of recyclables Solid Waste and Recycling Containers • Issue only one recycling tote/bin to each unit

• Continue to have recycling totes available at the Recycling Center for special events check-out

• Reduce the capacity of future solid waste containers • Encourage recycling by providing smaller solid waste totes • Consider exception for 4-bedroom units

• Establish coordination procedures between U-Fix-It Store, CEOEC and the Military Family Housing Office to record replacement tote numbers onto AF Form 227

• Purchase an ample inventory of blue recycle totes parts and stock at U-Fix-It Store to eliminate issuing a brand new tote to replace one that could be easily repaired

• Purchase stock of replacement recycling totes with 7045 (MFH O&M) funding Recyclable Commodities • Instead of curbside collection of metals as bulk, incorporate metals into recycling program • Modify Recycling Center exterior drop-off capability to include more commodities • To ease occupants confusion, frequently provide educational notices about pizza box disposal and

plastic recycling Update Military Family Housing Brochure to include installation’s recycling program • Describe recyclable items, drop-off locations, bin replacement policy, Household Hazardous

Material Reuse Program, etc. UNACCOMPANIED DORMITORIES In all three dormitories, issue small recycling bins (see “Bin Info” Tab) to each room or each mini kitchen (post-renovations) which would be emptied into communal recycling containers by room occupants • Establish accountability and replacement policy for individual recycling bins • Purchase bins with 7045 money Issue communal recycling containers for: • Blanchard Dormitory (Building #1302)

• White paper, newspaper and mixed paper at the Postal Service Center (first floor, south lobby)

• Aluminum cans, plastic and glass for outside patio area • Aluminum cans, plastic, glass, mixed paper and newspaper in Elevator Lobby of even

number floors • Cardboard dumpster for collection of large boxes (i.e. furniture or appliance purchases)

• Cheshire Hall Dormitory (Building #3623)


• Since no recycling bins were located, place communal collection containers for all commodities on each of the three floors

• Cardboard dumpster for collection of large boxes (i.e. furniture or appliance purchases) • Honor Guard Dormitory (Building #55)

• Aluminum cans, plastic, glass, mixed paper, white paper, cardboard and newspaper for second floor

• Cardboard dumpster for collection of large boxes (i.e. furniture or appliance purchases)

Just as presentations on recycling is given at Military Family Housing Newcomer’s and Townhall Meetings, tailor those presentations to dormitory residents for disclosure during the Dormitory Council Meetings and/or Residents’ Meetings Conduct public awareness targeted specifically to dormitory residents To increase dormitory residents’ participation, establish and promote “Recycling Floor/Bay of the Month/Quarter” • Engrave winners on plaque and hang in lobby or near main entrance • Award “winners” with prizes, i.e. picnic tables, touring trip of local attractions, cookouts or pizza

parties COMPOSTING Due to limited space, recommend no composting facility/operation be established on Bolling AFB Yard Trimming current disposal of $15/ton • Establish separate contract to process yard trimmings/leaves with a local composter • Tonnage from composter would be calculated as recycling metrics rather than disposal As a cost reduction measure, eliminate curbside pick-up of yard trimmings and require military family housing occupants to place yard trimmings/leaves in designated GREEN WASTE dumpsters • Strategically place GREEN WASTE dumpsters throughout housing areas or at U-Fix-It Store • Contract pick-up of GREEN WASTE dumpsters to a commercial composter As a source reduction measure, adopt and promote the “Don’t Bag It” Program for lawn care (see “Lawn Recycling” Tab) • Establish and maintain a demo lawn using “Don’t Bag It” techniques in order to “sell” idea to

upper leadership and train military family housing occupants Procure and maintain at the U-Fix-It Store an inventory of mulching mowers for military family housing occupants to check-out Offer semi-annual backyard compost training to military family housing occupants • Provide ideas on designing their composter rather than the installation purchasing pre-

manufactured units Partner with nearby Navy installation to negotiate a contract with a commercial composter to pick-up yard trimmings/leaves either at curbside or central collection HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS MATERIAL REUSE PROGRAM Erect signage on building or along street for easy identification by customers


Increase promotion of aerosol can collection • Establish satellite collection point for only aerosol cans at the U-Fix-It Store or place another

Recycle Igloo (clearly marked) next to others in Marina Parking Lot To educate customers, create Household Hazardous Material Story Board • Show samples (empty containers attached to the board) of household hazardous material • Display photographs of customers “doing the right thing for the environment” • Display Story Board not only at the Pharmacy, but rotate it through locations where customers

shop (BX mall, commissary, Auto Pride Store, etc.) Place appropriate promotion signage in dormitories Extend operations hours • During peak PCS movement when customers needs would be higher • Experiment to determine what works for other times of the year, i.e. one weekday until 1700 or

1730 • To promote extended hours, provide small “give-aways” (i.e., balloons for kids, Bolling

Recycles bumper stickers, refrigerator magnet outlining household hazardous material, etc.)

Seek and promote source for contaminated gasoline since Auto Skills Center and Auto Pride Store do not accept or collect gasoline PUBLIC AWARENESS EFFORTS (see “Public Education” Tab) Using information provided in the weekly Recycling Quality Control Report, track streets with low participation of recyclable set-outs and target them with special awareness information Meet with the Editor of The Bolling Beam to solicit his/her support of promoting the installation’s recycling efforts Supply photographs with articles submitted to The Bolling Beam • Encourage Wing or Vice Wing Commander to participate in photo opportunities that promote

recycling Display Bolling Recycling Story Board (or create an extra board) year round throughout the installation at various locations, i.e., BX mall area, commissary, U-Fix-It Store, Youth Center, Auto Skills Center, Recreation Center, Fitness Center, etc. Constantly utilize Bolling Television (BTV) for recycling promotion • Provide photographs to be utilized along with announcements, education and promotion Do not include promotion and education of recycling program in future Performance Work Statement for Solid Waste/Recycling • It is appropriate for the hauler to be responsible for leaving discrepancy notices in curbside totes • Solid waste/recycling haulers are not in the education or publicity business MISCELLANEOUS Priority One Services, Inc., Performance Work Statement Concerns • Lacking on-board weighing and route auditing systems in collection vehicles

• Quality Assurance Evaluator (CEOEC) not receiving weekly tonnage collected data each Friday


• Monthly Invoices missing or varying military family housing commodities tonnage and rates from month-to-month

• Some reports do not include tonnage/revenues for glass, aluminum, metal, wood, and white paper

• December 1996, January 1997 and February 1997 Reports each indicated recycling tonnage/revenues from military family housing was only newspaper

• March 1997 Report indicated recycling tonnage/revenues from military family housing were cardboard and newspaper only

• April 1997 Report indicated monthly recycling tonnage/revenues from military family housing were newspaper, cardboard and aluminum

• Co-mingling yard trimmings/leaves with bulk items • Priority One Services, Inc., does not provide No documentation provided to CEOEC to verify

exactly what recyclables Priority One Services Inc. sells in order to conduct quality control of Monthly Invoice Reports

• No copies of sales transactions between Priority One Services and commodity broker or firm which indicate tonnage, market priced paid and total revenue for each commodity

• Monthly Invoice Reports show only baled cardboard and cardboard metrics, but no refuse metrics for the Commissary and BX

• This concludes to two thoughts: the commissary and BX do not have Priority One Services, Inc., pick-up their solid waste or the commissary and BX solid waste tonnage is combined with another organizations

Recycling Center • Commodity contamination problems could cost the installation because the commodity could be

totally rejected by the buyer or price significantly reduce • Establish quality control measures to insure clearly segregated commodities

• Insist attendant receive training on procedures Qualified Recycling Program Manager Even though the CEOEC has successfully acted in this capacity along with her duties as Quality Assurance Evaluator, a designated full-time Qualified Recycling Program Manager would be the single point of contact for all aspects of the Qualified Recycling Program including solid waste reduction and reporting, composting, affirmative procurement report, environmental compliance and education. In the future, this manager could also work direct sales and price agreements for recyclable commodities achieving the best pay-back for the program and the Air Force.

Documents

Bolling Military Family Housing Qualified Recycling …infohouse.p2ric.org/ref/24/23075.pdf · Bolling AFB MFH QRP Study 1997 BOLLING MILITARY FAMILY HOUSING QUALIFIED RECYCLING PROGRAM